Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd - Vision and Mission Statement


	Reverent. Relevant. Real. These words summarize who we are and what we are about. Reverent. Our worship and our commitment reflect the seriousness with which we take our discipleship. Relevant. In all that we do we seek to make a difference-for those who are part of this congregation, and those with whom we come into contact in the community. Real. In all of this we are real people, honestly (and, at times, with humor) engaging ourselves, one another, and questions of faith. Identity Statement: The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd is a community of faith that places special emphasis on classical and historic Word and Sacrament liturgy supported by professional music staffing to enable a deep and meaningful encounter with God. This is our unique witness to the world and the foundation for our vision and mission. The Vision and Mission Statements below reflect emphases adopted by the congregation in 2003. Many of these goals have been accomplished since 2003, others are in process. Vision Statement 1.0 Worship: We will gather together at every opportunity to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Word and Sacrament in ways that are distinctive, relevant, and inspirational while embodying the depth and authenticity of the Lutheran tradition. 2.0 Evangelism: We will become a more welcoming congregation known for its acceptance of and hospitality toward guests and members, and for an active witness in the community. 3.0 Congregational life: We will increase discipleship within the congregation by encouraging every member to offer to God gifts of time, talent, and treasure in service to the Church. 4.0 Christian education: We will enable members to experience a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ by growing in knowledge and understanding of God's Word and the Christian faith. 5.0 Youth: We will expand our ministry to and with youth and their families, with the result that they will grow and mature in God's love and increasing their sense of belonging to the Church and the God we worship. 6.0 Service to society: We will be a community of faith that takes seriously the needs of others in every circumstance of life by ministering to them in the name of Jesus Christ Return to top Mission Statements Mission Statements for Vision 1.0 1.1 Continue to help people encounter God's transcendence in liturgical worship which seeks new expressions (e.g., using non-traditional instrumentation) while remaining faithful to the best in the Lutheran tradition. 1.2 Repair or replace the pipe organ to ensure its viability as the principal instrument to lead and inspire worship. 1.3 Encourage increased participation in all areas of our worship, including altar guild, choirs, worship assistants, ushers, and musical ensembles. 1.4 Continue to host at least one worship-related synodical event annually as a means of sharing our vision of worship. 1.5 Recruit and train communion deacons to distribute communion to those who cannot participate in worship. 2.0 Evangelism: We will become a more welcoming congregation known for its acceptance of and hospitality toward guests and members, and for an active witness in the community. Return to top Mission Statements for Vision 2.0 2.1 Develop a program that makes a planned and concerted effort to show hospitality to guests, and allows no one to leave as a stranger (all who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ). Program elements may include: 2.1.1 Train acolytes, ushers, greeters, and assisting ministers to define their roles in liturgy and in showing hospitality to visitors. 2.1.2 Create awareness among the entire congregation of our emphasis on being a welcoming community in Christ. 2.1.3 Initiate training of sponsors for new members, to include guidance on ways to assimilate newcomers into congregational life. 2.2 Explore possibilities for renovating the exterior of the church building to make it more inviting and accessible to visitors, including entry-way improvements and sidewalk resurfacing. 2.3 Revitalize our evangelism program to more effectively reach outside the congregation to invite and welcome others into our community of faith. 2.4 Increase efforts to reach out to members who are absent from worship for several months or more. 2.5 Include responsibility for evangelism in the position description for an associate pastor at the time a call is made. 3.0 Congregational life: We will increase discipleship within the congregation by encouraging every member to offer their gifts of time, talent, and treasure in service to the Church. Return to top Mission Statements for Vision 3.0 3.1 Create a more vital and faithful congregation by encouraging members of all ages to faithfully attend worship, participate in at least one non-worship activity a year aimed at growing in faith, give time to at least one form of volunteer service annually, and give financially in proportion to income. 3.2 Develop tools to identify individual spiritual gifts that can be offered in service to the congregation and community. 3.3 Conduct a year-round stewardship education program that encourages members, in faith, to regularly share their financial gifts to support the work of the Church, and to consider endowment giving to expand and support the congregation's future witness. 3.4 Develop a responsible multi-year fiscal plan for staffing, programs, benevolence, debt, and facilities improvement and maintenance. 3.5 Include responsibility for social ministry in the position description for an associate pastor at the time a call is made. 3.6 After calling an associate pastor, consider retaining a part-time assistant pastor to implement a ministry focused on senior members of the congregation. 3.7 Strive to improve fellowship activities for all members to create a greater bond and sense of community within the congregation. 4.0 Christian education: We will enable members to experience a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ by growing in knowledge and understanding of God's Word and the Christian faith. Return to top Mission Statements for Vision 4.0 4.1 Encourage members to grow in their relationship with God in a whole-life commitment that emphasizes the relationship between faith and spiritual and stewardship commitment. 4.2 Expand and develop the congregation's educational program to better enable members to achieve maturity in faith. 4.3 Strive to increase Sunday morning education hour attendance by children and adults. 4.4 Place renewed emphasis on member participation in Kerygma, Education for Ministry, and confirmation instruction and continuing education for all people. 5.0 We will expand our ministry to and with youth and their families, with the result that they will grow and mature in God's love and increasing their sense of belonging to the Church and the God we worship. Return to top Mission Statements for Vision 5.0 5.1 Establish and emphasize the youth Mission Trip, and invite broad congregational participation in this event. 5.2 Include responsibility for youth ministry in the position description for an associate pastor at the time a call is made. 5.3 More deliberately invite youth to participate in all aspects of congregational life, including liturgies, committees, and the congregation council. 6.0 Service to society: We will be a community of faith that takes seriously the needs of others in every circumstance of life by ministering to them in the name of Jesus Christ. Return to top Mission Statements for Vision 6.0 6.1 Create a community-ministry task force to identify local needs that the congregation can meet, especially through the presence of a new community ministry or social service housed in our building. 6.2 Continue and strengthen successful existing ministries to the community (e.g., Angel Tree, Grace Community meal, Bushels of Love, and financial support to local agencies). 6.3 Become a vital partner-congregation with the Samaritan Counseling Center. 6.4 Celebrate ministry in daily life by recognizing ways our members serve God in everyday circumstances. 6.5 Strive to increase benevolences to Synod to support the work of the Church in meeting the needs of people throughout the world. Return to top